Amy Hagstrom - Pitstops for Kids

How to spend a day in Golden Gate Park with kids

July 9, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Families looking for things to do in San Francisco will want to devote at least one day to exploring and enjoying Golden Gate Park. In fair weather or foul (San Francisco gets a few of those, you know), Golden Gate Park offers indoor and outdoor fun for families in a unique San Francisco environment. How to spend a day in Golden Gate Park with kids? Read on for our itemized Golden Gate Park itinerary for families (with rainy weather alternatives and age-by-age guides). All attractions are located on the east side of the park, and all are easily accessed by MUNI bus:

1. Start your day at a museum.

First off, be sure to grab or download a Golden Gate Park map. If you have school-aged or preschool kids, head straight to the California Academy of Sciences, where you’ll experience a planetarium, life sciences museum, and aquarium all in one. Located directly across from the Music Concourse (right through the park entrance at the Felton and Park Presidio MUNI stop), the academy could fill a whole morning for school-aged kids (and at least a few hours for toddler and preschoolers). If the weather is nice, be sure to visit the top floor’s Living Roof. Note: if you’re driving to the park for the day, use the underground parking garage right next to the academy, and plan to park there all day.

If you have tweens or teens (or kids interested in fine art) you might opt for the DeYoung Museum instead. It’s located directly across the street from the California Academy of Sciences, so it’s entirely possible for families to split up. If you decide to take all ages of kids, there is an art studio located in the De Young where an artist-in-residence provides hands-on activities, but that will be offered in the afternoons, so be sure to check the schedule. The museum’s permanent exhibits include all manner of fine art, sculpture, photography, fashion, and texture.

Best of all, both the academy and the museum are included on the San Francisco CityPASS and can be selected on the Go San Francisco Card.

2. Eat lunch on the Music Concourse or at local food trucks.

If it’s raining, families may opt to eat at one of the museum cafes (both have one), but if the sun is shining, it’s far nicer to eat on the concourse. (We were lucky enough to settle down with our picnic right as a school band was beginning an outdoor concert.) A number of food trucks (we saw Indian food and hot dogs on our visit) park on the end of the concourse next to the Japanese Tea Garden.

3. Spend the afternoon at the Children’s Playground or Conservatory of Flowers.

If you have young children (really, anyone 12 or under), head east to the first children’s playground to be build in the U.S. (according to locals), which you can access via foot from the Music Concourse area. The playground, located on your park map at Koret Playground, features lots of nice climbing equipment, a huge ‘spider web’ net, and the original concrete slides build into the hillside. (These look a tad dangerous by today’s safety standards, but we didn’t see any injuries. Kids slide down on pieces of cardboard…of which there’s plenty laying around for this purpose.) Next to the play area is the historic carousel, which is a real deal at $1 for kids and $2 for adults (adults can also help kids on and take photos without paying for a ticket).

If it’s raining, walk just past John F Kennedy Drive to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers instead, which is much more fun for kids than it sounds. Not only will you be warm and dry, but the huge arborium is beautiful winter or summer, and features temporary exhibits such as ‘Plant-o-sorus’, which teaches kids all about prehistoric plants from the dino days. Hours are 10 am to 4:30 pm, closed Mondays, and tickets are economical: most families can visit for under $20.

Bonus: read about additional botanical gardensadditional botanical gardens to visit across the US.

4. If you still have time, visit the San Francisco Botantical Garden or Stow Lake.

Walking west past the baseball diamonds, families will reach the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Similarly priced to the concervatory, the gardens are open longer hours as they’re out-of-doors, and provide more paths for kids to stretch their legs. If more gardens aren’t your thing, continue west to Stow Lake, where you’ll find picnic grounds, a boat house, and plenty of ducks to feed. In nice weather, families can rent pedal boats ($14-19/hour at the time of our visit), or can otherwise walk along the shore or rent a surrey bike.

Head back to your car, or if you didn’t drive your own vehicle, catch a ride back to your San Francisco hotel from MUNI along John F. Kennedy Drive or near the De Young (at Park Presidio and Felton)!

Exploratorium Museum of Science

July 5, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

A short MUNI bus ride from just about all points in the city, the Exploratorium is a wonderful activity for kids in San Francisco. Located conveniently at Pier 15, the Exploratorium is a hands-on science mecca for preschoolers through teens.

We love how this cavernous building is set up to encourage kids (and their parents) to really let loose: explore its exhibits in any order, for any length of time. It’s set up in sections by field of science (life science on the second floor loft, magnetics and engineering next to it, cognitive science and ‘thinking and feeling’ at the back, etc) but each exhibit stands alone. More than simply hands-on, almost all the exhibits challenge families to work with a partner or in teams, conducting experiments or field testing (aka challenging) their hypothesis.We especially loved the ‘sound and hearing’ section, where we took a auditory journey with a blind man through a BART station.

We spent three hours in the Exploratorium, which I thought would be enough, but I had to drag everyone out (including my husband) in order to keep our evening plans. Younger kids may need less time (the scope of the museum may feel daunting to some), but if you have school-aged kids, plan to be here a long while! The museum is very well contained (really just one huge room), so we felt comfortable letting the older kids roam at will.

Tip: One of the museum’s most popular exhibits, the Tactile Dome is experienced by scheduled appointment (and separate ticket) only. To grab a time slot (set throughout the day), plan to be at the museum in the morning, or order tickets online in advance (the ticket price is slightly more than regular admission, but includes admission to the rest of the museum as well). We visited in the afternoon, and by the time we arrived at 1 pm, the earliest Tactile Dome time available was 6:30…too late for our schedule.

Of note: In case you own an older guide book, the Exploratorium is now located at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero. While this location is certainly be more convenient for tourists visiting the Fisherman’s Wharf area, I encourage visitors to still take the time to see the lovely Presidio area of San Francisco.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Located (currently) in the Presidio, just moments from the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway 101.

Admission prices:

Adults are $15, youth (13-17) are $12, and children (4-12) are $10. As with most San Francisco attractions, the best deal for visiting the Exploratorium is to use a CityPASS or Go San Francisco Card card. Free admission the first Wednesday of each month!

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5 pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed most Mondays)

Dining options:

A large, open cafe with snacks, drinks, and light meals is located on the main floor and is lit by nice skylights and provides seating where parents can see most of the action. Otherwise, picnics can be taken outside on the Palace of Fine Arts grounds or nearby duck pond.

Directions:

The Exploratorium is located at 3601 Lyon Street in the Presidio. It will soon move to Pier 15. For now, from Park Presidio, follow the signs for the Highway 101 Detour. Then turn right on Geary Boulevard, left on Van Ness Boulevard, left on Lombard Street, and right on Lyon Street.

California Academy of Sciences

July 2, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

The California Academy of Sciences is by far one of the best things to do with kids in San Francisco. Ideal for school-aged kids but also entertaining for preschoolers and toddlers, the California Academy of Sciences is a trifecta of scientific fun, featuring a planetarium, aquarium, and life science museum all under one (living) roof, which is an exhibit of its own.

Families will want to devote at least a half-day at the academy: we stayed a full morning, and still never got to the planetarium (next visit!). Be sure to get a schedule of the day’s events when you enter. On the day of our visit, we were able to catch the African penguin feeding and the tropical fish feeding. Both activities included a talk from a marine biologist and lasted about 15 minutes. The docents at the door of the academy are very helpful in alerting families of the daily activities; we were glad to have them!

The academy is set up with two large domes (you’ll spot these from outside). One houses the planetarium, and the other houses the rain forest canopy, a tour along elevated walkways past plants, trees, and many animals (including lots of butterflies and birds). The rain forest canopy will end at the top, where guests can take an elevator down to the ground and basement floor aquarium. (I suppose you could do the various sections of the academy in any order you like, but it flows very well to see the rain forest followed by the aquarium, both in a logistical sense and an educational sense…the exhibits build upon one another.) I think the ‘flooded rain forest floor’ section of the aquarium was my seven-year-old’s favorite spot: he lingered at the rain forest snake section, where he could experience the (simulated) sensation of having his arm constricted by an anaconda.

Tip: it’s warm in the rain forest dome; you’ll want to shed sweaters or coats, so be sure to wear layers!

After experiencing the rain forest dome, we took the elevator to the top floor of the academy, which is actually the roof. We looked out over the ‘living roof’ exhibit, where acres of rooftop has been seeded and serves as an natural habitat to many animals and birds. It’s lovely on a nice day!

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Located in Golden Gate Park, an easy drive past the bridge from Highway 101.

Admission prices:

General admission the the California Academy of Sciences is not cheap at $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for youth ages 12-17, and $19.95 for children 4-11. A much more economical option is to purchase your tickets through a San Francisco CityPASS or Go San Francisco Card.

Hours of operation:

Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 5 pm. Sunday 11 am to 5 pm

Dining options:

There is a cafe on-site, with both indoor and outdoor seating (with play areas in the outdoor space). Instead of trying either option, however, we had brought a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed in the Music Concourse directly outside (while listenening to a free middle school outdoor concert!). On warm-weather days, this is the way to go. (Food trucks also assemble between the Music Concourse and the nearby Japanese Tea Garden.)

Directions:

The academy is located at 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. It’s easily accessible via MUNI bus lines. If you drive, street parking is available, or better yet, try the parking garage near the De Young museum.

Note: California Academy os Sciences has a Kidscore of 92. Learn more about Kidscore.

Three Highway 1 beach pit stops from Monterey to San Simeon, CA

June 28, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Some of the most beautiful coastline in the world exists on California’s Highway 1 between Monterey, CA and San Simeon, CA. Directly after Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey (definitely stop there before beginning your day), the way is windy and slow, but never fear: the California Highway 1 road trip is made to be savored with frequent pit stops, so even young passengers can handle the hours of car time. After making the drive with our three school-aged kids (ages 7, 10, and 12), I’ve compiled our favorite three beach pit stops on Highway 1.

Pfeiffer Beach:

Shhh. This first beach, run by the national forest system, is a secret. Directly after the tiny town of Big Sur, CA, families have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Ok, Pfeiffer may not quite be a secret, but it’s certainly not well known…or well advertised from the road or online. Here’s how you find it: right after Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, you’ll see a yellow ‘No RVs’ road sign on the right-hand side, next to a row of mailboxes. Turn right here onto a narrow, one-lane road. Almost immediately, you’ll see a sign that reads, ‘Pfeiffer Beach, 2 miles’. Continue two miles (you may have to stop occassionally to allow opposite traffic through) to a national forest booth, where you’ll pay a $5 per car fee. Parking is adjacent.

Pfeiffer Beach is nestled between huge crags of cliffside past a lush grove of Cypress trees, and features several rock arches amid the crashing surf, a gentle stream through the sand into the water, and most interestingly, big patches of the world’s only (so they say) purple sand. The famed Pfeiffer Beach purple sand is made from erosion from the nearby cliffsides, and is quite cool to see. Also fun is the stream and climbing on the large rocks on the beach. Reserve at least an hour here!

Of important note: Very strong undertows exist at Pfieffer. The water is quite cold, so your kids probably won’t be tempted to swim, but even wading can be dangerous. It’s best to enjoy the beach but avoid swimming. If you’re still dubious, read the memorial displayed at the parking lot, and take heed to be safe!

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park:

Not to be confused with Pfieffer Beach, JPB State Park is located further south, at 47555 Highway 1. The state park offers a lovely cliffside trail from the parking lot through a tunnel under the highway to the site of Julia Pfeiffer Burn’s dear friend Helen Hooper Brown’s beachside home (which she later dedicated to Pfeiffer). From the terrace (all that remains of the home), families are rewarded with beautiful views of the beach below, including a waterfall to the sand. Though there’s no beach access here, a stop is definitely warranted. A side trail leads to a working water wheel, and kids enjoy going over the bridge to the Brown terrace. You probably won’t need more than 1/2 an hour here unless you also decide to picnic.

Elephant Seal Rookery:

After JPB State Park, the highway becomes even windier, but just when kids can’t stand it anymore, the way straightens out before San Simeon, CA. Right before the town proper is the Elephant Seal Rookery. Signs are well posted along Highway 1, but trust me, you couldn’t miss it if you tried: even from the car, kids can spot the hundreds upon hundreds of elephant seals on the sandy beach. There’s a large parking area and a path that spans the beach, but visitors cannot step onto the sand…this is the seals’ territory! Posted signs explain the rookery (seal nursery), and let visitors know what the seals are up to in various seasons. For instance, when we visited in May, the babies were juveniles, whereas March visitors would have seen newborns. While still at home, check out what’s happening via the elephant rookery live cam!

Note: there are no bathrooms at the rookery! Luckily, San Simeon is only a few miles away.

Have you found a great Highway 1 stop between Monterey and San Simeon? Please share in the comments!

San Francisco Pier 39 attractions for kids

June 21, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Families touring San Francisco could easily dedicate a full day to the busy, touristy region of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. And while not to replace visiting other parts of the city, a day here is well spent. We definitely suggest beginning your day with a family tour of Alcatraz Island, but this still leaves you with an afternoon and evening to fill at the wharf. Here’s our picks for how to spend a day at Fisherman’s Wharf with kids:

Pier 39 and Aquarium of the Bay:

Pier 39 is bright, busy, and filled with fun (kids especially love the many street performers), and families could certainly wile away an afternoon browsing the shops and riding the carousel. If you have young children (whose attention span may not warrant to trip to a larger aquarium) and/or have San Francisco CityPASS booklets, make a stop at the Aquarium of the Bay. Not as large or professionally undertaken as the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park (if you plan to go there, skip this one), the Aquarium of the Bay is still a nicely done exhibit for kids. It can be toured in an hour, and features fun hands-on touching pools for young kids and a pretty darn cool shark tunnel. Housed primarily under the bay, museum staff ushers families into elevators for each section of the aquarium. This means you need to be sure to hit bathroom stops when you see them!

General admission is $16 for adults and $10 for kids 3-12, and is only worth the ticket price if you don’t have plans to visit any larger aquariums. Admission is included in CityPASS and Go San Francisco Card offering by far the best deal. (Warning: there is a gift shop at the end, and it’s full of enticing plush marine animals.) Afterward, stroll to the end of the pier to check out the seals and sea lions in their natural habitat.

The Embarcadero and National Maritime Park:

The Embarcadero runs many blocks from the Alcatraz cruise dock past Pier 39. On one side will be the new location of the Exploratorium, one of the best hands-on museums for kids in the country (it’s currently located in the Presidio). The Exploratorium is an CityPASS option, and will easily engage kids for hours. Kids will want to stop en route to watch the sourdough bread being made at San Francisco’s famed Boudin Factory, and shop for trinkets along the street. Further down, toward Ghiradelli Square, it’s fun to stop at the fish markets and see (and smell!) the fresh seafood offerings.

The San Francisco National Maritime Park makes for a great place to stop just as legs start to get tired, and kids can walk the pier to see the USS Pampanito submarine and other historic vessels.It’s located at Pier 45, and the visitor’s center is open 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. What’s nice is that families can opt to buy tour tickets for the Pampanito, or just view the vessels from the dock.

Ghiradelli Square:

Directly above the Maritime Park is Ghirdelli Square, where families can (must?) stop for ice cream at the famed chocolatier. (At the information booth in the square, ask for coupons if you plan to purchase sundaes.) We opted for sundaes for lunch (such a healthy choice…not!) but Ghiradelli makes for a great evening choice, too.

Between the Maritime Park and Ghiradelli Square, you’ll see the San Francisco Cable Car turnaround. This is a great place to hop on-board and take a ride, though you’ll likely wait in line. (Elsewhere in San Francisco, particularly along California Street), it’s easily to jump on and jump off cable cars.

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

June 19, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

An absolute must-do attraction for families with school-aged kids in San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, run by the National Parks Service, is a half-day tour that will wisk families across the bay by boat to the most famed island in the Bay Area. Departing from Pier 33 on the Embarcadero, the tour is self-guided, which makes it flexible for families, and utterly fascinating, which makes it an unbeatable way to spend half a day in the city.

Our boys, all school-aged, agreed touring Alcatraz was the highlight of our three days in San Francisco with kids. What made it so great? First off, the boat ride over and back is fun, and on clear days, like we lucked out with, it’s beautiful. We got a great glimpse of both the city skyline and the bridge, and from the top deck of the boat, were able to watch Alcatraz approach.

At the dock, boat passengers are greeted by a park ranger, who gives a brief overview of the island’s history. (I knew Alcatraz was a military fort before it became a prison, but had no idea it had also been the site of an American Indian social movement in the ’60s.) From there, families walk up the ramp to the old fort, where they can watch a short video. (This is a great orientation to what you’ll see in the prison, and it’s only about 15 minutes long.)

The tour of the prison is an audio-tour, and it’s fantastic. (I found out later it’s actually award-winning.) It was easy for even our youngest child (seven years old) to follow along, and the narrative is peppered with first-hand accounts from innates and guards alike (and even some of the children of the guards, who lived on the island). We were engrossed, and loved how easy it was to walk through the grounds following the directions on the audio tour. (A few times, we had to steer our kids in the correct direction, but the tour can be ‘paused’, so it wasn’t a problem.) The tour takes about 45 minutes, and deposits you in the gift shop (surprise, surprise). This is a very nice gift shop however, and I promise you’ll be tempted by something.

There’s no food or drink up at the prison area, but snacks and drinks are allowed by the boat dock. (Bring your own.) Also nearby is a visitor’s center with bookstore, and an info station where kids can earn Junior Ranger badges.

Tip: Pick up Junior Ranger booklets right after getting off the boat, before your tour. The activities are throughout the island, so you’ll want to do them as you go. The info station is not always manned (usually by the same ranger leading talks) so ask in the bookstore if no one is present. They didn’t have the booklets there, but could point us in the direction of another ranger.

Boats return to the mainland about every 30 minutes, so after the tour, families can walk around the island at their leisure (various outdoor areas are open in various seasons), and return whenever they want. Allow for a full morning or full afternoon from start to finish. You’ll want to bring sweatshirts if the weather is chilly (which is almost always) and keep in mind that while regularly sized day packs are allowed, large suitcases and large coolers are not.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Pier 33 is on the Embarcadero, a few minutes by car from I-80 or Highway 101. Parking in the area can be found in parking garages, or both MUNI and the cable cars stop nearby.

Admission prices:

Alcatraz tickets can be purchased ahead of time online through Alcatraz Cruises, the private ferry company that works in tandem with the National Park Service (recommended, as it does sell out). Tickets are $28 for adults and $17 for kids 5-11. Detailed pricing is here.

Alcatraz CityPASS option: By far the best deal for touring Alcatraz is to bundle it with a San Francisco CityPASS. CityPASS booklets grant admission to San Francisco attractions at an almost 50% discount, and have recently created an option to substitute their Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruise admission for an Alcatraz admission. To include Alcatraz in your San Francisco CityPASS, families MUST call Alcatraz Cruises and reserve their tour time, letting the operator know their intention of using CityPASS. Unlike the ‘regular’ CityPASS booklets, which can be purchased online, the pass including Alcatraz must be purchased at Alcatraz Cruises. Therefore, if you’ll want to make Alcatraz your first San Francisco stop (to pick up your CityPASS booklets when boarding the boat).

Hours of operation:

Tours run all day and into the evening, depending on season.

Directions:

Pier 33 is easy to find (and clearly marked) on the Embarcadero.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Alcatraz using provided CityPASS booklets, for the purpose of review. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

5 things to do on California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street with kids

June 17, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

In much the same way that Disneyland’s Main Street ushers visitors into the park with an ambiance of small town America, California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street welcomes visitors into the California to which Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s with nothing but a cardboard suitcase. Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Weis says he’s even more excited about Buena Vista Street than the recently revealed Cars Land, knowing it will educate guests about Walt’s journey and create that important physical connection to place and time guests expect in a Disney theme park.

All this sounds well and good for Disney’s adult guests, but what things to do on Buena Vista Street will attract kids? Plenty, but you need to know where to look.

1. Ride a Red Car Trolley.

If you’re headed for Hollywood (Hollywood Land, that is), catch a Red Car Trolley at the entrance to the park. Two trolleys, inspired by the Pacific Electric Railway system which ran in Los Angeles during the era) run continuously through Buena Vista Street and down Hollywood Blvd to the Twilight Tower of Terror. Conductors will give an overview of the street, including brief history of the Carthay Circle Theater at the central hub of the park. The trolleys are a fun way to get from Point A to Point B without fighting crowds.

2. Peek into Buena Vista Street shops.

Kids will be drawn to Big Top Toys, but the true treasures are in Oswald’s, where, if families look past the typical souvenir offerings and listen closely, they can hear period voice personalities on the radio. Kids may not recognize all of them, but it’s fun to experience a feature most guests don’t realize exists.

3. Watch a street show.

Throughout the day, the Red Car News Boys roll down the street singing tunes from the 1920s and 30s and delivering the latest “headlines” in the Buena Vista Daily Bugle. The jazz group Five & Dime brings with it a backstory: lead singer Dime has brought her group all the way down Route 66 from Chicago to ‘make it big’. Both groups interact with kids, elicit lots of laughs, and add the the ambiance of the street.

4. Take a break in the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge.

Located in the flagship landmark of the Carthay Theater (modeled after the historic theater which premiered Walt Disney’s first success, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves), the Carthay Circle Restaurant is a signature dining experience (reserve it in advance and use the Disney Dining Plan for best value). However, for a more impromtu stop, the ground floor Carthay Circle Lounge is very family friendly, and offers “Bites, Rolls, Snacks, Small Plates, and Finger Desserts” in a family-style table service. The food is contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients, and the family-style presentation helps encourage kids to try new, healthy food options. Parents can grab a cocktail or glass of wine, and everyone will welcome the quiet, sophisticated atmosphere that feels worlds apart from the busy theme park outside.

5. Grab breakfast or an afternoon snack at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe.

This diner-style quick service restaurant has cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing to die for, making it a great pre-park opening option for coffee and a treat. (Like Disneyland’s Main Street, guests will often be able to access Buena Vista Street prior to accessing the interior ‘lands’ of California Adventure.) In the afternoon, desserts are tempting, as are the ice cream and soda fountain creations at adjacent Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream.

Have you explored the newly opened Buena Vista Street? What do you recommend?

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Buena Vista Street using park tickets provided to me by Disneyland Resort. While generous, these tickets came with no expectation of a positive review.

California Adventure’s Cars Land in pictures: tips for dining, entertainment, and rides

June 14, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Radiator Springs has come to life at Disneyland Resort’s California Adventure! The official opening of Cars Land isn’t until tomorrow, June 15th, but Disney fans and Pixar enthusiasts are already abuzz with excitement. (Ka-Chow!) We’re here with the inside scoop on the rides, dining, and entertainment in store for Disneyland Resort visitors this summer and beyond. Read on for what to do in Cars Land with kids of all ages (and grown-ups too!).

The scene:

I’ve said it many times, but I’ll say it again: Disney does theming like no other. Expect nothing less than their standard level of excellence when it comes to the total immersion experience that is Cars Land. Visitors will feel as though they’ve actually stepped into Radiator Springs. (Prepare for the surreal ‘wow’ factor you’d expect when visiting a real landmark for the first time.)

Everywhere you turn in Cars Land, special touches await, but Pit Stops for Kids caught up with top Disney Imagineers Kathy Mangum and Kevin Rafferty to discuss the countless details visitors might miss. What to be on the lookout for? The albums on the walls of Flo’s V8 Diner, which offer visitors a glimpse into never-before-told Flo backstory, the tools of the trade in Ramone’s House of Body Art, which has been authenticated by an actual Southern California car customizer, and the bushes within the vegetation behind Cozy Cone Motel, which may lead vigilant visitors to a hidden Mickey…of sorts.

Plenty of retail shops add to the town-like feel of Cars Land, including Sarge’s Surplus Hut and Radiator Springs Curios in addition to Ramone’s. At night, the street is lit with 16 neon signs. Disney Imagineers took trips down the real Route 66 for inspiration, and it shows in the authenticity throughout.

The rides:

Rides in Cars Land includes three attractions, all of which are geared toward general family fun. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree spins riders in a ‘tow-si-do’ dance in Mater’s salvage yard as guests ride trailers hitched to cute baby tractors. There is a height requirement of 32″, and the ride does swing from side to side. However, I never felt dizzy as I would on a certain Fantasyland ride involving teacups. Insider tip: none of the tractors are exactly the same. Pick your favorite!

Luigi’s Flying Tires is an ambitious ride in that it strives to appeal to guests’ sense of fun rather than offer a thrill. After boarding ‘hovercraft’ tires which float on air (literally), groups of 2-3 attempt to control their tire by shifting their weight. It’s interesting to see how this ride works from an engineering standpoint, but it’s low on excitement. It’s sometimes downright slow-going, but oversized beach balls bouncing around aimlessly (or with perfect aim, depending upon the guest throwing them) save the day. Kids will love tossing these around. The height requirement is again 32″.

The flagship attraction of Cars Land is of course Radiator Springs Racers. This ride requires visitors to meet the 40″ mark, and has a FASTPASS option. Half immersion ride experience and half high-speed race, Radiator Springs Racers requires at least two visits to fully appreciate. Guests start with a tame ride through canyons, Radiator Springs, and beautiful Taillight Caverns, then experience one of two ride options: a visit to Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or Ramone’s House of Body Art. Finally, they slide onto a race track with one other car, and race to the finish. Racers is tons of fun, a thrill for kids, and a wonderful visit to another world. Two thumbs up from me!

Cars Land dining options:

I love the new dining options Cars Land provides visitors to California Adventure! Guests are offered down home, ‘comfort food’ style choices that are still (fairly) healthy and very filling. At Cozy Cone Motel, pick up delicious counter food snack options, many of which could double as lunch or dinner (especially the chile cone carne–in meat or vegetarian options–served in a cone-shaped bread bowl and topped with corn chips and cheese). Fillmore’s Taste-Inn offers fresh fruit as well as light snacks.

At Flo’s V8 Cafe, homestyle favorites like rotisserie chicken, meatloaf, or mac and cheese are served in big portions. I tried the vegetarian Veggie-Tater Bake with their signature apple cheddar ‘ugly crust’ pie, which was wonderful. Families will find wholesome food options here, all included in the Disney dining plan, and all substantial enough to call a full meal.

Cars Land entertainment:

Entertainment is on-going in Cars Land. DJ’s Dance ‘n Drive is boogying out on a regular basis, teaching guests dance moves like the Overdrive, and Red to the Rescue! helps clean up Radiator Springs by watering the flowers (and you).

There’s also a lot of merchandise you’re not going to want to miss. And as on Disney Cruise Line‘s Castaway Cay, some of these items you can’t find anywhere else. If you want a ‘flying tire’ hat, for instance, you’d better get it here. To see the flying tire hat modeled, check out the coverage of Cars Land at Ciao Bambino! Tip: If you don’t want to wear it all day, have it sent straight to your room if you’re staying at a Disney property.

If you’ll be in Cars Land this summer, add your favorites to the comments!

A stay at Omni San Francisco with kids

June 14, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

When we first stepped into the opulent lobby of the Omni San Francisco with our three excited kids, lots of luggage, and a cooler of snacks, I thought, ‘Uh oh.’ It was so beautiful, and so peaceful, and somehow smelled so good (citrus?) I couldn’t imagine this elegant San Francisco hotel could be a good fit for families. I was completely wrong. From the moment of check-in, my boys were greeted with smiles from everyone from the doorman to the valet, offered fresh fruit and herbal tea (the former was welcome after a day in the city, though the latter was a bust) and gifted Omni Kids lunch sack-style backpacks filled with goodies. No sooner had we arrived in our adjoining rooms, than a tray of freshly baked cookies and milk arrived.

We found out both perks come as part of Omni’s Sensational Kids program, which is their way to welcome children to the hotel. The kids’ packs contained frisbees, hacky sacks, candy, and a map of the city with fun activities to complete, like crosswords, word searches, and puzzles. (They’d come in handy while waiting for food in restaurants, but I would have traded them in a second for a complimentary continental breakfast bar.) The rooms were spacious, and included all the nice touches you’d expect from a high-end hotel: high ceilings, window molding, nice views, and top-of-the-line fixtures. The oversized tubs were great for kids, and the coffee makers doubled nicely for us while making hot cocoa and instant oatmeal in the mornings.

The service at Omni San Francisco is fantastic, and what it lacks in extra amenities like the free breakfast I mentioned or free parking (a rare find at urban hotels), it makes up for in convenience. Located on California Street just steps from the TransAmerica Building, the Omni is directly on the California Street Cable Car line and only two blocks from a BART station. It’s also only steps from MUNI bus lines. Every day, we stepped outside and were on our way via cable car or bus within minutes. Chinatown is a block away, and Nob Hill is in easy walking distance. The on-site concierge was always happy to give us (and our itinerary) full attention, guiding us with routes and recommendations.

Could you book a cheaper room elsewhere in San Francisco? Absolutely. We spent the evening before our Omni stay at Fisherman’s Wharf, where the room rates were less but we hauled our own luggage, fought with slow elevators, and got lost a lot. What you’re getting at Omni is luxury, location, and service…amenities that come at a higher price point. For a beautiful hotel experience in the heart of San Francisco, it can’t be beat. While we encountered mostly business travelers during our stay, it was clear at all times that children are welcome.

Deal! Save up to 49% on San Francisco’s Muni and Cable Car rides plus admission to the 4 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Minutes from Highway 101 (via the Golden Gate Bridge) or I-80.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, room rates for standard and premiere rooms ranged from $300-339. Omni Kids Fantasy suites, which feature bunk beds, toys to use during the visit, and bean bag chairs (with a connecting room for parents) is additional, but a very nice set-up, and still less than the cost of two adjoining rooms.

Included amenities:

Kids are automatically welcomed into the Omni Sensational Kids program (with packs and cookies). Concierge service is also included in the room rate, and some room packages include valet parking. (Otherwise, valet parking is over $40 a night, and does include in and out privledges.) Self-parking at an adjacent garage is an option, but will still cost upwards of $35 a night. The Omni San Francisco does not have a pool, but room service is available, and high speed internet access is free for guests in the Select Guest Loyalty Program (free to join). Otherwise, wifi is $9.99 a night.

Dining:

Room service is offered day and night, and there is a restaurant on-site, though it seems a bit too spendy (and grown-up) for our family’s purposes. Within steps of the front doors, however, many options await. We ate in Chinatown one evening, and along Calfornia Street the next.

Directions:

Omni San Francisco is located at 500 California Street, at Calfornia and Montgomery.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the Omni as guests of Omni Resorts, for the purpose of review. While their hospitality was appreciated, it came with no expectation of a positive review.

A stay at the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco

June 11, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Families have hundreds of lodging options while visiting San Francisco with kids, but if they want to be in the heart of the Pier 39 action, the location of the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf can’t be beat. Literally steps from the wharf, the Radisson is the only bay hotel with this prime location, with a back entrance opening on the Embarcadero. The surrounding area is busy and crowded and noisy at night (think San Francisco’s Times Square), but with so many attractions and dining options close at hand, the trade off may be worth it. From our adjoining rooms on the fourth floor, we didn’t hear much street noise.

The Radisson is an older hotel showing its wear, but they’re currently in the middle of a large-scale renovation. When we visited in May 2012, the guest rooms and lobby had been redone, with plans to improve upon the outdoor areas next. The standard rooms are not large (pretty standard for city hotels), but the new decor is very nice (especially the large wall murals of the Golden Gate). The bathrooms sport tubs as well as showers, a nice perk, and it was great to have a mini-fridge and closet space. Note: The Radisson beds have Sleep Number mattresses, worth mentioning as people tend to love them or hate them (for what it’s worth, we hate them).

Perhaps the nicest amenity of the Radisson is their outdoor pool and courtyard. Situated between the ‘U’ shape of the main building, the large ground floor courtyard features an outdoor fire pit, plenty of comfortable seating, and a nicely sized heated pool. Next to the pool is a small but adequate fitness room. Self parking is available (for a nightly fee of $37…pretty standard for the city) and wifi is complimentary in all guest rooms.

We didn’t mind the fact that the outside of the Radisson was still in need of its scheduled facelift. The location more than made up for this. Our only complaint was the difficult-to-navigate layout of the hotel. The parking garage is at the back of the hotel, and uses its own set of elevators, easily confused with the main bank of elevators that lead to the lobby. If you’re coming from your car, the walk through the hallways can be long, and there are so many entrances to the courtyard area (street access, lobby access, and parking garage access) that visitors can get turned around. We could see the pool and courtyard from our room window, so we allowed our 10 and 12-year-olds to go down solo. They took the wrong elevator and got lost for some time, so please accompany tweens (we should have anyway) and note that street access to the courtyard does exist…kids could easily end up there. We’d advise using only the lobby elevators when accessing the pool area.

Plenty of dining exists in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, including fast food and a Johnny Rockets directly connected to the courtyard. One door down is a nice IHOP. A few pizza places deliver to the rooms as well.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Just a few miles away from either I-80 the or Highway 101.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, room rates were listed at just over $300 for a standard double bed room. What you’re paying for is the location, and if you plan to spend significant time exploring the Wharf, Embarcadero, and Ghiradelli area, it’s worth it for the prime spot.

Included amenities:

As mentioned above, wifi is complimentary. Parking is an extra fee, but some rooms do come with breakfast vouchers (for the adjacent IHOP) included.

Deal! Save up to 49% on San Francisco’s Muni and Cable Car rides plus admission to the 4 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Directions:

The Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf is located at 250 Beach Street, San Francisco. From I-80 or Highway 101, take the Embarcadero to the wharf.

As I disclose whenver applicable, we stayed at the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf at a media rate, for the purpose of review. While we appreciate Radisson’s hospitality, this rate came at no expectation of a positive review.